David W. Shaw Photo Workshops
- Email address verified
24 reviews
Mar 22 - 27, 2024
Group size: 3 - 5
Bubble-netting Humpback Whales! 2024
Sitka, AK, USA
David W. Shaw Photo Workshops
- Email address verified
24 reviews
Mar 22 - 27, 2024
Group size: 3 - 5
About this trip
Early each spring, hundreds of Humpback Whales migrate across the Pacific to Alaska. The whales have eaten little for months, and by the time they return to Alaska, they are hungry. Fortunately for them, schools of spawning herring are abundant, the perfect food supply. But Humpbacks have a strategy to make catching them even easier, a cooperative feeding technique called “Bubble-net feeding”. A whale, or more often, a group of up to several whales, dives down below a school of herring. They then circle, blowing a stream of bubbles from their blow-holes. They spiral upward and inward, forcing the herring into a tight ball. As they near the surface, all the whales lunge upward, their mouths agape, sucking down hundreds or thousands of fish in the process. This trip, based in the southeast Alaska community of Sitka, is timed to hit the window when the hungry whales are bubble-net feeding like crazy.
What’s included
- Lodging5 nights hotel in Sitka
- 4 day of boat charters
- Guide service
- All meals
- Ground transportation
What’s not included
- Flight to and from AK
- Alcoholic beverages
- Tips
Available Packages
Itinerary
Day 1
Arrival in Sitka
Independent Arrival in Sitka. I'll meet you at the airport, or arrange an airport transfer to our hotel. We'll meet for a group dinner where can get to know one another and talk about the next days' adventures.
Your Organizer
David W. Shaw Photo Workshops
24 reviews
David W. Shaw Photography Workshops offers small group photo workshops and tours in Alaska, the lower 48, Africa, South, and Central America. Custom trips and scheduled workshops will take you from the wilds of Alaska's Brooks Range to the wildlife-filled wetlands of Botswana's Okavango Delta. Join me!
Reviews
SL
What an incredible experience! Truly a trip of a lifetime! Dave was an amazing organizer who helped us every step of the way. We had extra days and Dave helped us arrange tours and contacts which was very helpful. It was reassuring to be informed about anything we needed to know in a very timely manner. The trip itself was wonderful, with amazing local guides who were knowledgeable, friendly, and funny! The rest of the staff was warm and welcoming every step of the way. Highly recommended!
By Steven L for Botswana with Friends! on Apr 22, 2024
This was my third trip with Dave but my first doing the bubble-netting excursion. To say I loved it is an understatement! In addition to seeing whales feeding everyday, we also saw sea lions, harbor seals, sea otters, and other wildlife! We even were lucky enough to catch a playful Pacific white sided dolphin, three breaches and a couple of gray whales! Mike, our captain was incredible in finding the wildlife activity. In addition, he took us to observe how the fisheries do their herring fishing, along with showing us the actual eggs on hemlock branches and on kelp. It was an exciting and fun learning experience which I would definitely repeat and highly recommend!
By Janet B for Bubble-netting Humpback Whales! 2024 on Apr 09, 2024
This was my second Aurora trip with Dave and once again it did not disappoint. Mother Nature did not cooperate the first two nights, but by night three, skies were clear and we had two nights of awesome viewing! Dave did everything he could to accommodate us for Aurora viewing, driving to different locations in order to get the best photos. I continue to love staying in Wiseman and the small group size for this excursion. I’d do it again in a heartbeat!
By Janet B for 2024 Arctic Aurora Workshop on Apr 09, 2024
This was a terrific trip. Sitka Alaska is a beautiful location, the scenery is spectacular, there can't be a better place to see and photograph humpback whales and fishing boats. David Shaw is a great workshop leader. The trip was well organized and he made sure we all had good opportunities to see the whales and other wildlife. This was my second time on this workshop and I'd do it again. Ginger W-P
By Ginger W for Bubble-netting Humpback Whales! 2024 on Apr 05, 2024
Just wanted to thank Dave for another outstanding Aurora trip. The weather was less cooperative than in 2023, but we prevailed and had some amazing displays. The cabin we stayed in was perfect and it was great to see ptarmagin and caribou close to Wiseman. I highly recommend this trip to anyone who wants to experience the Aurora above the Arctic circle. Bring your sense of adventure and enjoy what Alaska has to offer.
By Jacqui M for 2024 Arctic Aurora Workshop on Apr 01, 2024
References
Dave's workshops are incredible! I did the Bears of Brooks last July and we saw them all over the park even though the salmon weren't running. Dave knows all the best spots/timing plus he's super knowledgeable about not only the bears but photography of course, the best of both worlds.. When we had a planned fly in from Homer canceled due to weather, Dave worked to find an alternative and we had a great experience boating in ridiculously close to bears out of Soldotna. Like in a rowboat 10 feet away on the water, an experience that even beats going to Brooks (alternative is flying in and being on the ground with them). You also get time in Homer where you do a marine cruise and see so many animals including puffin and otters- a unique trip. Dave takes care of everything, and tailors to the members of the group needs. Multiple times, a part of our group chose to go for a walk or an extra trip to lower river while waiting on the water taxi, while others waited at the lodge for us. Or, when we had to leave Brooks early one day, he offered a hike around the area or downtime-with a small group we had lots of options when we had downtime. He is also great at helping both advanced photographers and newbies like me get the most out of the experience. I cannot recommend him enough. I'm going to Africa with him next and wish I could just do his workshops all year long.
By Christi C on 25 Jan, 2024